FB: Midwest Conference

[d-train]

I thought it merited repeating because Roop makes it sound like you agree with him.

Alright, that makes sense.

[MWCfan787]

My bet is that Stevens Point does lose another one and Whitewater wins out.

Thus my previous claims would then be true.  If UWW is 9-1 and conference champs they will be the highest rated non-undefeated team in the west region. (Probably #4)  Meaning they will still host probably against the champ of the MIAC or Wartburg not Monmouth who will be #3 it looks like and also hosting themselves.

What I don't get about the west coast teams having to play each other is doesn't Oxy have to get on a plane to go to Willamette anyway?  I believe that's over 500 miles. And plus the two are probably going to be 1-2 in the region and they HAVE to play each other?  This is just so unfair to me.  Because of money the seedings/matchups would be completely skewed.

Now North Central getting moved into the west is something that really changes things and if that happens, I have no clue.  NCC would probably host Wartburg/2nd WIAC team, then maybe Monmouth would host whichever is left of that.  Then UWW would host the MIAC champ.

To be honest noone really knows until that selection day

[d-train]

If UWW is 9-1 and conference champs they will be the highest rated non-undefeated team in the west region. (Probably #4)  Meaning they will still host probably against the champ of the MIAC or Wartburg not Monmouth who will be #3 it looks like and also hosting themselves.

If Stevens Point or Redlands (or both) are left out and/or NCC is not moved in, I could see UWW and Monmouth each hosting a game. But I can imagine a few other scenarios with UWW on the road for that first round (even as WIAC champ). Who knows...we'll see.

What I don't get about the west coast teams having to play each other is doesn't Oxy have to get on a plane to go to Willamette anyway?  I believe that's over 500 miles. And plus the two are probably going to be 1-2 in the region and they HAVE to play each other?  This is just so unfair to me.  Because of money the seedings/matchups would be completely skewed.

Unfair or not, limiting flights is a major goal of the NCAA. Pairing Oxy and Willamette is one flight. Letting them both host means two flights ($$$). Not matching conference foes in the first round can play with the seedings/pairings as well.

[BoBo]

My bet is that Stevens Point does lose another one and Whitewater wins out.

If UWW is 9-1 and conference champs they will be the highest rated non-undefeated team in the west region. (Probably #4) 

Since it's all speculating...

Point will lose at Eau Claire this week. Will win at home vs La Crosse in two weeks.

UWW will will win out and finish 9-1, be AQ in the WIAC and will not only be the highest non-undefeated team in the region but will finish higher in the regional rankings than Monmouth.  Whitewater will be at home in first round and Monmouth will be on the road or get a first round home game vs the IIAC champ. 

[Scots4]

My bet is that Stevens Point does lose another one and Whitewater wins out.

If UWW is 9-1 and conference champs they will be the highest rated non-undefeated team in the west region. (Probably #4) 

Since it's all speculating...

Point will lose at Eau Claire this week. Will win at home vs La Crosse in two weeks.

UWW will will win out and finish 9-1, be AQ in the WIAC and will not only be the highest non-undefeated team in the region but will finish higher in the regional rankings than Monmouth.  Whitewater will be at home in first round and Monmouth will be on the road or get a first round home game vs the IIAC champ. 

Agreed, if UWW wins out I can not see them still behind Monmouth in the regional rankings. Obviously when looking at the conferences then I cannot disagree. I just hope that Monmouth gets to host because that will help with recruiting and just create an awesome atmosphere in the little town. Regardless of where Monmouth plays, I will be in attendance.

[fightintitan2006]

I tend to agree with Bobo and think that Point is probably the team coming to Monmouth in that scenario...although North Central getting moved seems more and more realistic, which could throw a monkey wrench in the whole thing.

[MWCfan787]

End of the Yr Conference Awards:

Offense - I think Tanney has it wrapped up 38 tds to 5 ints right now and chalk him up for atleast another 4 against Knox....42 touchdown passes to 5 ints is gonna get you the award almost any year

Defense - My best guess is actually Maloney from Grinnell.  Last I checked he was leading the nation in tackles.  Is he really the best defensive player in the conference? I don't know, but his stats kinda stand out.  If not him then maybe Jeremy Winter a LB from Carroll since he's been defensive POW 3 times and noone else has been it more than once.

Coach - Usually goes to the best team.  Degeorge won it as a lifetime achievement award in 2005 as the last coach to win without winning conference, Bell won it 2004 without winning conference too.  Do they give it to Ernst for a breakout Ripon season?  What about Brann from Beloit for going from 1-9 to potentially 5-5 with a win on Saturday against Grinnell?  I know Roop likes that one.  Or is it same ol' same ol' with Bell winning it because the Scots are 10-0?

[piopride10]

Great post on the end of the year awards!  Tanney hands down for offensive player of the year... and being a sophomore he has the potential to win the award 3 years if he stays healthy and keeps producing.  Defensive player of the year... call me a homer, because I probably am, but Jeremy Winter is one of the best linebackers I have seen in the conference the past few years.  Great speed, strength, and the key to Carroll's defense the past few years.  I think challenging him for the award will be Ripon's Josh Kraemer.  He's consistantly been one of the best DBs in the conference ranking near the top in interceptions, passes defended, and fumbles forced, not to mention his impact on special teams.  But special teams shouldn't matter for the defensive player of the year so I give my vote to Winter.  Coach of the year... kind of a tough pick but keeping with conference tradition I think Bell will get it for Monmouth.  Ernst had another great year for RC once again establishing that program as a conference contender and Carroll's Hiemenz did a great job this season potentially winning 7 games after losing a lot of key players from last year.  I can't say enough about the turnaround Brann had at Beloit this year, and if it were up to me he'd get some love.  But seeing as it's not up to me I'll embrace the fantastic job Bell did and say that he deserves the award.

This post season talk hasn't given some of us other guys a chance to post so by all means, keep talking about the regular season to keep me and others interested.

[MWCfan787]

You only got one more week left unless you're Lawrence.  Beloit is the only team really dying for a win this week for a .500 season.  The rest of the games this week will not even be competitive.  Therefore the playoff talk has ensued, not much else to talk about though I'd like to see everyone else's opinions about the conference awards.

If ya really wanna keep it going, everyone should use their current knowledge and then maybe a little research and submit their own first team conference selections.  There would probably be alot of homer first team selections though.  Plus I don't really care to look at what the O-Lineman did this year, hate to say but it's a boring spot and if I were a big guy I definitely would've been a D-lineman...atleast sacks are kind of glamourous.

[MWCalum]

Offensive: obviously Tanney.. i dont really think you can put a teams success on someone's shoulders more then his.. he's probably the most irreplaceable

Defensive: I thought from what I saw Winters is a little overrated and may get a lot of tackles cleanin up other guys missed tackles.. not that he cant be considered, i just dont think he's POY.. Kramer stands out in my mind. The games I saw him play in he was a difference maker.. its too bad thres not a special teams POY cause he would have it hands down.. Mahoney obviously needs to be considered as he was leading the nation in tackles coming into saturday, im nto sure now as he only had 11 (only..  )

Coach is a tough one... awards are after playoffs right? I think if Bell can get them a win or 2 and bring some respect to the conference he gets it hands down. Ernst took a good team and took them up a notch and got a W vs. SNC for the first time in 10 years.. Brann did a great job turning the program around, they potentially.. and thats a BIG potentially a couple recruits and upsets away from becoming a team that gives more coaches worries then allows them to take a breath for a week

[Scots4]

First team

QB- Alex Tanney (Monmouth)
RB- Terence Steward (Beloit)
RB- Joe Beckstrand (Carroll)
WR- Michael Jennings (Illinois College)
WR- Dan Carter (Lake Forest)
WR- Nick Wright (Monmouth)
WR- Mike Blodgett (Monmouth)
WR- Jeremy Gezella (St. Norbert)
TE- Matt Hintz (Lawrence)
OL- I can't even make an educated guess. However, I'm sure I would have to put some Ripon players on here for their running game. Also, Monmouth had great pass protection. St. Norbert always has an athletic and strong offensive line. I'll let someone else do this one.

DL- Anthony Goranson (Monmouth)
DL- Matt Casper (Carroll)
DL- Tighe Burke (Knox)
DL- Wes Levy (Monmouth)
LB- Jeremy Winter (Carroll)
LB- Brett Maloney (Grinnell)
LB- Marc Artozqui (Monmouth)
LB- Tony Baratti (Beloit)
DB- Josh Kraemer (Ripon)
DB- Ben Hackbart (St. Norbert)
DB- Willy Mason (Monmouth)
DB- Dink Simmons (Illinois College)
K- Andrew Reich (Beloit)
P- Rob Berger (St. Norbert)



Offensive Player of the Year- Alex Tanney (Monmouth)

Defensive Player of the Year- I still think this could go three different ways. My top 3 in no definite order are Anthony Goranson (Monmouth), Jeremy Winter (Carroll), and Josh Kraemer (Ripon). I think if one of these players has a huge week then they could take this one down. They are  the best players on their respective levels of the defense.

Coach of the Year- Ernst (Ripon) They got over one hump (St. Norbert) and proved that they belong in the conferences small elite. This conference is no longer a two-horse race and I think he should get credit for climbing to the top. How


Obviously, I am biased towards Monmouth because I see them play every week. However, they proved to be the best team in the league and so I think they should be rewarded. That is my opinion so it is open to criticism. Just don't criticize without showing yours first.

[fightintitan2006]

Offensive POW is Tanney

Defense is either Goranson, Kraemer or Winters..Kraemer probably wins with sme bonus points for special teams

I think Coach is Brann with a win on Saturday, then Bell or Ernst with Beloit loss

[The Roop]

I thought it merited repeating because Roop makes it sound like you agree with him.

You mean there are people who don't automatically agree with me ?? LOL. All I know is todays society doesn't require anyone to have facts straight as long as they are well intentioned.

[scottie]

I thought it merited repeating because Roop makes it sound like you agree with him.

You mean there are people who don't automatically agree with me ?? LOL. All I know is todays society doesn't require anyone to have facts straight as long as they are well intentioned.

H E ' S   T H E   R O O P   A N D   H E   A P P R O V E S   T H I S   M E S S A G E.

[gbpuckfan]

Monmouth up to #16...


AFCA Division III Coaches Poll
By The Associated Press
Through Nov. 2
                                Record  Pts  Pvs
1. Mount Union (Ohio) (39)        8-0   999   1
2. Wabash (Ind.)                  8-0   901   3
3. Muhlenberg (Pa.)               8-0   900   2
4. North Central (Ill.)           8-0   887   4
5. Cortland State (N.Y.)          8-0   800   6
6. Millsaps (Miss.)               8-0   795   7
7. Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas)     7-1   734   9
8. Wisconsin-Whitewater (1)       7-1   715  10
9. Willamette (Ore.)              8-0   622  12
10. Case Western (Ohio)            8-0   621  11
11. Hardin-Simmons (Texas)         8-1   593  13
12. Wesley (Del.)                  6-1   562  14
13. Otterbein (Ohio)               8-0   507  15
14. Wisconsin-Stevens Point        7-1   407  19
15. Occidental (Calif.)            7-0   399  18
16. Monmouth (Ill.)                9-0   349  20
17. Rensselaer (N.Y.)              7-0   297  21
18. Washington & Jefferson (Pa.)   7-1   273   5
19. Ithaca (N.Y.)                  7-1   263  22
20. Trinity (Texas)                7-1   258   8
21. Montclair State (N.J.)         7-1   191  24
22. Redlands (Calif.)              6-1   149  25
23. Thomas More (Ky.)              7-1   144   -
24. Trine (Ind.)                   8-0   135   -
25. Salisbury (Md.)                7-2    72  17